Press Release

Bangkok, Thailand, 2017- SIMA ASEAN Thailand 2017- The southeast Asian Agri-Business show, 3rd edition of International Agricultural Business Exhibition & Conferences for the Agricultural Industry, in unison of COMEXPOSIUM from France and Impact Management Co., Ltd. together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives being held on 7-9 September 2017, 10:00-18:00 at Hall 5-6 IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center and IMPACT Lakeside, Bangkok, Thailand.

National Irrigation Administration, The Philippines- as SIMA ASEAN Thailand 2017, the international trade show for agricultures suppliers aims to be one of the most effective methods to promote their model ‘Thailand 4.0’ to the whole agriculture industry, National Irrigation Administration, The Philippines, will serve as the Hosted Supporting Association. NIA will be associating the exhibition for the same intentions and purposes for agricultural development; to showcase the best practices for farming and encourage farmers to apply modernization and technologies into their daily work for the enhancement and increase of productivity.

NIA, Central Office – The National Irrigation Administration, on Monday, reiterated that the agency is fulfilling President Duterte’s marching order on Free Irrigation Service Fee.

More and more Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) are signing up with the new Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) contract which outlines core guidelines in the Free Irrigation policy. As stipulated in the contract, the agency will no longer collect ISF current accounts from the farmers.

NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, earlier, said that the agency is having hard time collecting the said fee since some of the farmers and IAs are not willing to pay their past debts. But the NIA chief echoed that the agency did not impose any deadlines on paying farmers’ past account.

“Do what is right and legal”, said NIA chief Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya during his visit in NIA Caraga on August 23, 2017.

His first visit in the region outlined his 4-point agenda which set as his guiding principles in leading the egency.

In his speech, Gen. Visaya strongly condemned graft and corruption which he said builds stain to the agency. He also warned some individuals who are using his name to extort money and gain favor among contractors.

The Irrigation chief also emphasized that they should practice preventive and recovery planning to finish the project on time. “If you have a vision we should plan for it and achieve it”, he added.

He noted that the current irrigation equipments being used by the agency need to be modernize and improve to provide better irrigation service to the farmers.

The administrator also assured the employees that the management will provide whatever necessary to further motivate the employees to work.

Gen. Visaya also provided time for a dialogue with the officers and Board of Trustees of Confederation of Irrigators Association in Caraga, Incorporated. (CONFIAC, Inc.) headed by President Felomino O. Buco.

The administrator ensured the continued assistance of the agency towards rice self-sufficiency of the country.

August 1, 2017 – The National Irrigation Administration secured the ISO Certification 9001:2008 after it successfully passed the two (2) stages of audit carried out by the third party auditors from AJA Registrars.

The Deputy Administrator recounted that the agency prepared for almost a year for the certification. She acknowledged everyone who gave their utmost effort to carry on the ISO 9001-2008 from preparation up until assessment.

Cabsec Evasco shared that President Duterte was happy about the improvement of the project. He added that the President looks forward to seeing the project completed and serving the vastness of Tarlac’s agricultural lands.

"This project (TBBMP Phase II) was once a dream but now it's a reality", he added.

He further encouraged everyone to maximize the opportunity that was given to them and asked the citizens to be vigilant as the project progresses and to report any suspicious acts or transactions related to the TBBMP II.

NIA Administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya announced that the project is envisioned not only to provide irrigation but also power generation, livelihood, and boost eco-tourism.